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    Gunners captain Kim Little signs new deal with Arsenal 17 years on from joining women’s top-flight giants

    KIM LITTLE hopes to savour more special moments with Arsenal after extending her contract with the club.The new deal will see the veteran Gunners skipper continue her career with their WSL side until at least June 2026. Kim Little says playing for Arsenal has brought her many special momentsThe Gunners captain hopes to win more silverware with the club having them to win six league titles, three FA Cups and six league cupsLittle and her team-mates are due to face Tottenham the WSL on Sunday at the EmiratesIt follows the club exercising their option to extend her contract.  Little, 34, who is set to face Tottenham in the WSL North London derby this Sunday, said: “I’m delighted to extend my contract and play another year with Arsenal. “It’s quite unique to play for a club for the length of time I have, and I don’t take that for granted. “That time brings many special moments, and I look forward to making a few more of them.”Read More Football StoriesLittle, who began her senior playing career with Scottish Women’s Premier League outfit Hibernian, joined the Gunners at 17 in 2008.The former Scotland playmaker, regarded as one of the best players of her generation, has gone on to become the team’s third highest appearance maker.Her silverware wins with the club includes six league titles, three FA Cups and six Women’s League CupsThe player, who was awarded an MBE for services to football in 2023, has made 363 appearances for the team. Most read in FootballGunners women’s football director Clare Wheatley said: “Kim is one of the very best – as a player and as our captain. “She continues to help drive us forward and set standards on and off the pitch. “We value Kim’s contribution immensely, and I know our supporters will be thrilled that Kim’s Arsenal journey is continuing.”Little, who has scored 174 times for Arsenal, began her football journey playing for a primary school boys’ team in Mintlaw, the village where she grew up in Aberdeenshire. Her senior club career includes her first Gunners stint from 2008 to 2013 before two seasons with US side Seattle reign and a one-term loan spell at Australian outfit Melbourne City. After rejoining Arsenal in 2017, Little went on to help them win their fifth League Cup in March 2018. This followed the midfielder recovering from a knee ligament rupture sustained in May the year before. In 2018-19 Little played 11 times in the top tier for the Arsenal side that won the WSL title under their former gaffer Joe Montemurro. At present their chances of a title win this term look slim with the team fourth and ten points behind league leaders Chelsea. However the Gunners are eager to add more trophies to their collection having reached the quarter-final stages of the Champions League and the FA Cup. Arsenal boss Renee Slegers says Kim Little has important role to play in her team’s trophy chaseCredit: PAAnd head coach Renee Slegers insists Little has a significant role to play in Arsenal’s push for more silverware READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Gunners boss said: “Kim is a wonderful footballer and captain and has an important part to play in the goals we want to achieve. “I’ve learned so much from working with Kim and I’m looking forward to that continuing as we aim to win trophies together.” More

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    Sarina Wiegman says ‘less minutes’ at club level is behind decision to drop England ace Chloe Kelly

    SARINA WIEGMAN hinted the door is still open for Chloe Kelly to win an England squad spot again despite the forward being dropped.  Kelly, 27, was among the high-profile omissions from the group named ahead of their Nations League duels with Portugal and Spain.Chloe Kelly will miss England’s upcoming Nations League games against Portugal and Spain after being dropped from the Lionesses squadEngland boss Sarina Wiegman insists Kelly still has a chance to make the Euros if she gets game time and impresses at Arsenal More

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    Women’s football star ‘violates rival’s intimacy’ with sick gesture and vile comment during on-pitch scuffle

    A SPANISH woman footballer is at the centre of a storm after touching a rival’s private parts and appearing to say ‘Have you got a ‘d**k?’ during a brief pitch bust-up.TV cameras clearly picked up the moment Barcelona defender Mapi Leon deliberately touched Espanyol footballer Daniela Caracas’ genitals as the alleged sex assault victim prepared to defend a corner during a fiercely-contested derby match yesterday.Barcelona’s Mapi Leon clashed with Daniela CaracasCredit: Liga F via X formerly TwitterShe appeared to reach and touch Caracas below the beltlineCredit: Liga F via X formerly TwitterEspanyol have slammed the Barcelona starCredit: RexSpanish media and social media amateur lip readers reported the slur 29-year-old Leon, capped more than 50 times by her national team, fired off at Colombian-born Caracas during a brief push-and-shove struggle before and after the extraordinary crotch grab seemed to be ‘Tienes picha?The offensive expression would translate into English as ‘Have you got a d**k?’Barcelona’s city rivals Espanyol today released an official statement criticising Mapi Leon’s actions and vowing to support Daniela if she decided to press charges.The Catalan club said in a statement, calling Mapi Leon by her full name Maria Pilar Leon: “We would like to express our total discontent and condemnation of the events that took place yesterday during the derby match between RCD Espanyol and Barcelona FC at the Dani Jarque stadium.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“It is an action that we consider unacceptable and that should not go unnoticed.“During the match, the FC Barcelona player María Pilar Leon, in the middle of a struggle with our player, Daniela Caracas, made a gesture that violated the player’s intimacy.“At the time Daniela was unable to react because of the impact caused by the situation.“Later on when she assimilated what happened she became aware of the seriousness of the gesture, but chose not to react angrily to avoid a disciplinary sanction and harm the team.Most read in Football“In addition to what happened on the pitch, there has been a regrettable reaction on social media, where our player has been the target of insults from hundreds of profiles.“We are concerned that, instead of focusing on the act itself, part of the media attention has been diverted to other issues unrelated to its seriousness.Football teams that controversially changed their badge“RCD Espanyol defends our player and condemns any act that threatens the integrity of the players on the pitch.“We firmly believe in respect and sportsmanship as fundamental values in football and we hope that this type of situation will be treated with the seriousness it deserves.“Furthermore, we have made the club’s legal services available to our player should she wish to take legal action.“Likewise, as RCD Espanyol has done on previous occasions, we wish to express our rejection of any form of violence, whether physical or verbal in the world of football.“Sport should be a place of respect and coexistence, and we condemn any attitude that encourages hatred or aggression on and off the pitch.”Barcelona and the player at the centre of the controversy have not yet offered any official reaction.Espanyol lost 2-0 to the league leaders, with a 73rd-minute goal from Graham Hansen and another three minutes later by Salma Paralluelo.Mapi Leon was one of the footballers who said she didn’t want to play for her country again unless there were structural changes in the Spanish FA following the scandal unleashed by the kiss Luis Rubiales gave Jenni Hermoso after the 2023 women’s World Cup and his initial refusal to resign.The former Spanish FA president is currently on trial for sexual assault and coercion over the kiss Jenni says was unwanted.Critics were accusing Mapi Leon of double standards today.One said: “This is really serious. I hope it finishes in a court of law.”Another said: “I hope they take measures like they did with Rubiales.“A sexual assault is where there’s no consent right?”READ MORE SUN STORIESVinnie Jones famously squeezed Paul Gascoigne’s lunchbox during Wimbledon’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle in February 1988.It was caught on camera and went on to become one of the most iconic photographs in the history of English football. More

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    Beth Merrick says Wolves will not be counting themselves out in Women’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United

    BETH MERRICK loves juggling her passion for education with playing for Wolves Women’s Championship promotion chasers. Tonight, the lifelong Wolves fan and secondary school PE teacher, 29, hopes to inspire the next generation in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round. Beth Merrick and her Wolverhampton team-mates are set for a huge test in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round against Man UnitedCredit: GettyPE teacher Merrick says pupils at the Staffordshire secondary school she works at are relishing seeing her in action against United’s starsCredit: GettyLifelong Wolves fan Merrick hopes to see a record turnout for their FA Cup game at SEAH Stadium in TelfordAnd that is by knocking out holders Manchester United in what would be a huge giant-killing. Merrick and her hungry third-tier Wolves pals will go for the jugular when they face a United side, whose stars include England Euros winner Ella Toone. Meanwhile her students are relishing the prospect of watching their teacher take on the Red Devils. Midfielder Merrick, who works in the Staffordshire city of Lichfield, said:Read More Football Stories”I’ve got girls who will be going to a match for the first time “Students that have never been really interested in football that are just excited to come and watch me share a pitch with people who they’ve heard are good at football. “I’ve had so much excitement (from my pupils) and Ella Toone has been the big one in terms (of the players) on everyone’s minds. “There are going to be some really happy children from my school who will be watching their football heroes and watching their teacher share a pitch with these heroes.”Most read in FootballLast year’s FA Cup final decider between United and Tottenham at Wembley, which ended as a 4-0 triumph for the Red Devils attracted a crowd of 76,082. This was just 1,302 shy of the record-breaking number of spectators that watched Chelsea beat the holders 1-0 in the final the year before. And Wolves, who are coached by RAF aircraft technician Dan McNamara, hope to see a record turnout at their 6,300-capacity SEAH Stadium in Telford at 5:15pm this evening. Merrick adds: “Our club has grown so much and women’s football has been growing anyway. “It’s an emerging sport in its own right compared to men’s football.”The way that it’s gone and the way that it’s been has changed dramatically. “At the school I work at I’ve been hearing comments in the last couple of weeks where girls are mentioning the fact of, ‘oh my God, you’ll be playing against Ella Toone!’ “Just that in itself and the fact they can name a Man United Women’s player is a really big opportunity to showcase that.”Merrick’s journey as a footballer began at the age of seven when she entered Wolves’ Centre of Excellence. After six years in their youth system she would spend a decade at Aston Villa before spells with Sheffield United and Coventry before returning to Wolverhampton. The former England Under-23 international had a chance to become a full-time player during her Villa days. She was also part of the side that competed in the Women’s Championship in 2015. But for Merrick being able to balance her teaching career with her job on the pitch is important. Man United boss Marc Skinner hopes to guide his side to back-to-back Women’s FA Cup trophy winsCredit: PAShe said: “At Villa the opportunity was there to be full-time, but I turned it down so that I could do bothREAD MORE SUN STORIES”Having students that I’ve managed to inspire and the comments I have had (from them) over the last few weeks on this game alone has been amazing. “That’s all from the growth of women’s football and the hard work that people have put in and others that have paved the way for us.” More

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    Arsenal and Man City fan groups slam ‘appalling’ racist and misogynistic abuse aimed at Khadija Shaw

    SUPPORTERS groups of Manchester City and Arsenal women’s sides have condemned the racist and misogynistic abuse directed at Khadija Shaw.The City striker was the target of abusive messages following her team’s WSL clash with the Gunners at Joie Stadium on Sunday.Manchester City say the abusive content sent to Khadija Shaw has been shared with authoritiesCredit: AlamyThe Man City striker was the target of racist and misogynistic abuse following her team’s top-flight clash with Arsenal on February 2Credit: AlamyMan City and Arsenal are set to face each other in the semi-final of the Women’s League CupCredit: PAThe club, whose side are fourth in the Women’s Super League, slammed the “disgusting treatment” of Shaw, who played her 100th game for City on February 2. The Jamaica international, who finished as the top-flight’s top scorer last season, made an appearance in the second half of the fixture which the Cityzens lost 4-3 to Arsenal. Messages sent to Shaw have been shared with authorities by Man City. The club say they are offering their full support to the striker whose team are due to face the Gunners in a Women’s League Cup semi-final clash tomorrow evening at 7pm. Read More Football StoriesShaw is in line to make her third appearance following her return to action from a lower leg injury sustained last December.In a statement yesterday, the club said: “Manchester City were appalled to learn that Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was subjected to racist and misogynistic abuse following Sunday’s fixture.”Discrimination of any kind, either in stadiums or online, will not be tolerated and has absolutely no place inside or outside the game.”Bunny has decided not to share the messages publicly so as not to give the oxygen of publicity to the vile individuals who sent them.Most read in Football”The content has been shared with the authorities. An investigation will follow and the club offers our full support to Bunny following the disgusting treatment she’s received.”Shaw, who joined the Cityzens from French club Bordeaux in June 2021, won last season’s WSL Golden Boot after netting 21 times in 18 WSL games. The Jamaica star is currently leading this term’s scorers charts with nine goals in 11 top-flight games.Following Man City’s statement, fan groups of Arsenal and Man City took to social media to express their “disgust” at the abuse of Shaw. They were also backed by Chelsea supporters group Chelsea Pride. In a post shared via the platform X, Man City Women’s Official Supporters wrote: “We join the club in expressing the utmost disgust for this appalling abuse, and stand with both them and Bunny in condemning this type of behaviour. “Nobody should have to put up with racial or misogynistic  abuse at any time, end of!” Arsenal Women’s Supporters Trust added: “Unacceptable behaviour, and we’re deeply saddened to hear that Khadija has been targeted in such a horrible way. “There is no place for racism or discrimination at any level, yet it continues to happen. “This cannot be tolerated. We stand with Khadija and send our love and support.”And Chelsea Pride stated: “This is completely unacceptable and must be condemned by everyone across the game, clubs, governing bodies, and supporters alike.”Hate has no place in football.”Man City’s statement came a day after Chelsea skipper Millie Bright was the target of expletive-laden insults from a fan during the Blues 1-0 win against Aston Villa on Sunday. Millie Bright hopes supporters will be mindful with the comments they direct at playersCredit: GettyThe England vice-captain has called on the sport’s followers to be more “mindful” with their comments. READ MORE SUN STORIESBright said: “Every game we give our absolute all and it won’t always be pretty or perfect.”But just remember we give everything to be the best for you, so this experience was hugely disappointing especially from a fan (who was) sat in the Chelsea section.” More

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    Kiss ruined happiest day of my life, Spain World Cup star Jenni Hermoso tells Luis Rubiales as sex assault trial begins

    SPAIN’S World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso has told a court that former football chief Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss “stained one of the happiest days of my life.”Hermoso, 34, was the first witness to appear at a court in Madrid as Rubiales’ sexual assault trial began on Monday.Jenni Hermoso is seen testifying on day one of Luis Rubiales’ trial in Madrid, SpainCredit: ReutersThe moment where Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after their World Cup winCredit: EnterpriseAxed Spanish FA boss Rubiales – seen in court today – could face up to two and a half years in prisonCredit: ReutersHermoso pictured arriving at the court of San Fernando de Henares on Monday morningCredit: AFPRubiales, 47, is accused of sexual assault and coercion over the kiss he planted on Hermoso at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, where Spain defeated England.The former Spanish FA boss, who initially refused to resign and dismissed the controversy as a “witch hunt by fake feminism,” faces up to two and a half years in prison if convicted.Rubiales has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting the kiss was a “peck between friends celebrating.”Taking the stand at Madrid’s Audiencia Nacional court, Hermoso described how Rubiales grabbed her head and kissed her without consent.Read more on Luis Rubiales”I didn’t hear or understand anything,” she told the court.”The next thing he did was to grab me by the ears and kiss me on the mouth.”I felt it was totally out of place and I then realised my boss was kissing me, and this shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting.”A kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so.”Most read in FootballShe added: “As a woman I felt disrespected. It was a moment that stained one of the happiest days of my life.”Hermoso said the pressure campaign left her fearful for her safety, forcing her to leave Madrid.Luis Rubiales Desperate Move: Controversial Video Sent to FIFA to Prove Innocence“From the first moment I reached Spain I had cameras after me 24 hours, people following me, people taking photos while I was having breakfast with my family. I had to leave Madrid with my family,” she said.“I felt fear at times of being in the street. I received death threats and messages of all types and we had to leave Madrid because the situation was unbearable.”It was a change in my life and I still say my life changed from that minute.”‘A statement I hadn’t written’The court also heard that just hours after the kiss, Rubiales and his aides allegedly pressured Hermoso to declare it was consensual to contain the growing backlash.She was called off the team bus at Sydney’s stadium and shown a statement she was expected to sign.Hermoso recalled breaking down in tears as pressure mounted on her to publicly downplay the incident.The Spanish footballer told the court:  “I skim-read it and said and knew I hadn’t written a word of it.“It was a statement I had supposedly drafted myself and consented to being put out to fan the flames of the fuss that was being created by the kiss.Hermoso and her Spain teammates beat England at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in SydneyCredit: AFPJenni Hermoso said in a press conference that the kiss was unwantedCredit: APThe unwanted kiss has sparked outrage around the worldCredit: RexRubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation in 2023 following criticism over the ‘Kissgate’ scandalCredit: Getty“The statement said Luis Rubiales and I were good friends and the kiss happened in the effusiveness of the moment. I said I didn’t agree to it going out.”On the flight back to Spain, Rubiales allegedly approached Hermoso personally, pleading with her to back him publicly.“He told me, ‘Please, my two daughters are in the back of the plane crying,’” she said, adding that she refused.Ex-national team coach Jorge Vilda — one of Rubiales’ co-defendants — then allegedly approached Hermoso’s brother, warning him that her football career could suffer if she did not comply.“I felt totally unprotected in what should have been a safe place for me,” Hermoso said. “No one asked me if I needed anything. The only thing Rubiales and his aides did was try to protect their reputation.”Spain’s #MeToo momentThe scandal overshadowed Spain’s first-ever Women’s World Cup triumph and became a tipping point for sexism in Spanish sport.The hashtag #SeAcabó (It’s Over) flooded social media, with Hermoso and 80 other players going on strike until federation leadership changed. FIFA suspended Rubiales, who eventually resigned in September 2023.The incident also sparked national soul-searching over sexual misconduct in Spain. The country had only recently toughened its sexual assault laws following the notorious ‘La Manada’ (Wolf Pack) gang rape case in 2016.Protests have erupted in Spain over the allegationsCredit: Rex“Rubiales out of play” has been displayed at many protestsCredit: Rex’A peck between friends’Rubiales continues to deny wrongdoing, insisting the kiss was a “peck between friends” and his downfall was driven by “fake feminism”.His daughters, two of whom were on the team’s flight home, will testify in his defense next Monday.Former coach Jorge Vilda, ex-federation sporting director Albert Luque, and marketing director Rubén Rivera also face coercion charges and potential 18-month sentences.The trial is set to run until February 19, with high-profile witnesses, including Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, expected to testify.Rubiales, if convicted, could receive a suspended sentence as first-time offenders in Spain rarely serve time for prison terms under two years. READ MORE SUN STORIESProsecutors are also seeking €100,000 (£83,000) in damages for Hermoso.A verdict is expected by the end of the month at the earliest.Rubiales has constantly denied any wrongdoingCredit: Talk TV More

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    Keira Walsh ready to ‘fight for badge’ and trophies with Chelsea after club confirm signing of ex-Barcelona star

    KEIRA WALSH declared she is ready to fight for Chelsea’s badge after confirming her switch from Barcelona. The England midfielder has joined the WSL leaders on a four-and-a-half-year deal, for a fee thought to be around £400,000. Walsh will Chelsea’s number 30 shirt following her permanent transfer from BarcelonaCredit: GettyThe Blues midfielder has become the second England star to join the club from Barcelona following Lucy Bronze’s move in July last yearWalsh, who won eight trophies with Barcelona, sees her move to Chelsea as a “good fit” for her in terms of her ambitionsCredit: APIn doing so she sealed one of the biggest moves in the January transfer window with Chelsea boosting their squad to aid their quadruple trophy chase.Her arrival comes before the Blues’ trip to Aston Villa on Sunday with the team aiming to extend their WSL unbeaten run to 13 games this term. Of her move Walsh, who made 64 Barcelona appearances, said: “It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy to be here and very excited to get started.“You look at the history of the trophies Chelsea have won and I’m an ambitious player and person, so for me, it is a good fit.Read More Football Stories “Speaking to Paul Green (Chelsea’s head of women’s football), Sonia and Camille (Chelsea assistant manager), I just got such a good feeling from them. “It has been really positive. I want to play for this club and fight for the badge.”Walsh, who began her senior club career at Blackburn at 16, has spent the past two-and-half-years playing for Barcelona with whom she won eight trophies including two top-flight titles.Her transfer has seen the Blues strengthen their midfield options with the team hoping to go unbeaten in the top-flight this season. Most read in FootballShe is also the second England star to join the team from Spain’s title holders following Lucy Bronze’s transfer last July.Before her Chelsea switch and Barcelona stint, Walsh spent eight years at Manchester City, winning eight trophies including one WSL title. Her move to Spain came two months after she played an instrumental role in England’s European Championship triumph in July 2022. The midfielder provided an assist for Ella Toone’s goal in a 2-1 defeat of Germany at Wembley. And during her time with Barca the 80-capped Lioness helped them win two Champions League trophies in 2023 and last year.  In her first season at the helm Sonia Bompastor hopes to guide the London outfit to a Champions League tournament triumph.Today Chelsea also announced the signing of goalkeeper Femke Liefting who won the Golden Glove at last year’s Under-20s Women’s World CupCredit: GettyEurope’s biggest club prize is the one major trophy the Blues are yet to win. Walsh’s arrival comes five days after Chelsea’s swoop for USA international Naomi Girma, 24, the club forking out US$1.1million to sign the ex-San Diego Wave defender. And yesterday they also strengthened their goalkeeper ranks with 20-year-old Femke Liefting joining from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. More

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    Chloe Kelly criticises Manchester City after sealing transfer deadline day switch to Arsenal

    CHLOE KELLY hit out at Manchester City after completing her transfer to Arsenal, claiming the club attempted to “assassinate her character”. The Lioness star shared her thoughts in a social media post on Thursday night after sealing a loan move to the Gunners. Chloe Kelly will spend the rest of this season at Arsenal after sealing a loan move from Manchester CityCredit: AlamyThe England forward’s contract with Man City is due to expire in JuneCredit: GettyYesterday evening Arsenal announced the Euros-winning England forward had joined the club on a temporary deal running until the end of this season.Kelly, whose contract with Man City expires in June, will wear the Gunners’ number 18 jersey.Her transfer to the London giants followed a dramatic day which included Man United attempting to sign her, with the Cityzens reluctant to see her join their local rivals. It is also thought the forward had declined a chance to sign for Brighton with Sky Sports claiming her initial preference was to remain in Manchester.Read More Football Stories However Kelly would later seal a move, before yesterday’s 11pm transfer deadline, that saw her return to the team where she began her senior playing career at the age of 17. And the England international claimed Man City were “briefing journalists” against her. SunSport have approached Man City for a response. Via an Instagram story shared after her Arsenal loan move, Kelly wrote: “So disappointed to find out that people at the club  are briefing journalists against me if I am to sign at a club before the window shuts.Most read in Football”They’ve called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in the football media, of which are false accusations.”Following her Arsenal move Kelly thanked Man City’s fans for “welcoming her with open arms” and her team-mates at the club for their support. Her transfer comes almost five years after she joined the Cityzens for whom she has scored 30 times in 109 appearances. The forward helped the team to a Women’s FA Cup triumph in 2020 and a League Cup win in 2022. And last season she made 18 top-flight appearances registering five goals and five assists with the club beaten on goal difference to the WSL title by Chelsea. This term she struggled for top-flight game time making one start in the six top tier matches. And two days ago she issued a written statement which explained that she “accepted” her future would not be at Man City beyond June. In July 2022 Kelly made history playing an instrumental role in the Lionesses’ history-making European Championship triumph.Her extra-time goal sealed England’s tournament win after a 2-1 defeat at Germany at Wembley earning the 48-capped Lioness widespread praise. Two years ago she also helped England reach the Women’s World Cup final with the team falling to a slim 1-0 loss to tournament victors Spain. And Kelly hopes to earn a place in Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad ahead of this year’s Euros taking place in Switzerland in July. Head Coach Renée Slegers said: “Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad as we approach the second half of the season. “She’s direct and explosive, with huge natural talent and ability. We’re all looking forward to working with Chloe as an Arsenal player in the coming months.”The completion of Kelly’s transfer comes ahead of Arsenal’s WSL trip to Man City on Sunday. Chloe Kelly will provide with more attacking options with the club battling for more trophy winsCredit: GettyThe Gunners are currently fourth in the table and one point behind the Cityzens. Both teams will also go toe-to-toe on February 6 in the semi-finals of this year’s Women’s League Cup. READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal, who are the contest’s record winners, hope to win the trophy for a seventh time. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More